Disciplining a fleeing horse - your thoughts

grandmaweloveyou

grandmaweloveyou

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Hi. My Cob fled 3 times last week when being brought in from his field - he charges off in canter straight down to his stable (luckily) and you cannot hang on to him.
He did this at the end of last season basically I have ascertained it starts during the last month of the season when there is no grass left - although there is plenty of hay in the field - ie whilst we are waiting permission to move into the summer/winter fields.
Yesterday I lost it with him and smacked his nose 3 times whilst growling at him, I tied the lead rope around his muzzle and dragged him back up to the field, he did it again, so I did it again too and walked him from field to stable and around the stable block twice until he behaved. Each time giving him a mint or a kiss, or a pat and encouraging him.
We then walked slowly into the stable, me going backwards, one step, stop, praise, one step, stop, praise and ensured he waited for me to remove headcollar before letting him eat his tea.
I have a livery that brings him in for me in the week and cannot have him do this to her, he did it to a livery last week and would have gone straight through her had she not moved.
Was I too harsh on him? My non horsey GF said I was too heavy handed and that she didnt like it :( I text the liveries and asked for their honest opinion (we are an amazingly close bunch) and they all encouraged me and said I have to stop his behaviour from escalating which it did last year.
I also asked 2 other liveries this morning that were there yesterday and they assured me I was absolutely spot on. What do you think?
My non horsey GF said this morning that she "knows absolutely nothing about horses" and I feel MUCH better with all the support at the yard but thought I would ask on here. Sorry it is long. He is normally an absolute gent and follows me off lead and this morning his behaviour was much better and hopefully this afternoon too!
 
I would have done exactly the same, and have done similar in the past!
I would personally get your livery to bring him in on a bridle and a lunge line, even to carry a short whip if he gets bargey, tap him on the chest.

I know some may not like it but you have to do, what you have to do. They need to realise it’s not on, they soon learn.
 
you did it exactly right. you sometimes have to be tough to remind them of their manners. They are too big to be doing things like that, he could injure himself or a person. keep doing what you did today till he remembers his manners
 
first of all you need to try and not let go - Hard I know !! I would lead him in a bridle with the addition of a stallion chain around the nose. If possible have someone help you one either side of him. He has to get out of the habit of knowing that he can run off. And then like you did walk him calmly, as in at the pace you want, down to the yard. Ours go like this, they are desperate for the grass and bored with Hay. Mine is dangerous when he does it, he is not a small horse and you have no chance if his mind is set, so I have learned to pick up on the signals before he even leaves the field !!! so I understand, and good luck. but per persistent and constant

x
 
Bring him in using a bridle and a crop as suggested by Jobo.
The Ginger Ninja used to behave like that, and would stomp all over you as she just had no idea of what was acceptable and what wasn't.
After a couple of smacks across the chest, she learnt my space is exactly that. MY space!
 
I have a similar problem with my 3yr old cob when leading him to the field sometimes, he knows the way and i can't hold him (major problem is the field is across a road from yard) I know he will stop it when out 24/7. I am now leading him out to the field in a bridle, i know its not ideal but it works.
Also i do in hand work with him (in a headcollar), making him move back when asked, stand and walk on from voice commands etc.
 
i bought a rope halter for £9 off ebay (the horsemanship styley thingamy), same idea as a bridle really but a little easier to put on and off. A few hard quick pulls on the leadrope does the trick
 
I think you were spot on.

As has been said, use a bridle and a crop. If he so much as starts his nonsense, turn him round and go back to the field and start again.

You def dont want the other livery having to deal with it, keep up the good work!

I also make sure all my lead ropes have a knot at the end of them, that way if it slips through your hand, you wont let go totally as the knot stops in your hand!
 
You could also try making his stable not quite as welcoming as he anticipates it to be ie :- no tea or haynet waiting for him as soon as he gets in the door. Tie him up in his stable and give it an hour or so before you feed/hay him up.
 
If your horse was fleeing from fear then discipline is the last thing it needs. But it sounds much more as though yours is after his tea!

Whilst I've now got to the stage where I think hitting any horse is a failure on my part I can totally understand the frustration and, frankly, fear - they are big animals!

As others have suggested lead in something that gives you more control an make sure horsey /knows/ you are the one in charge. Personally I prefer making a horse that is pushing forwards back up to hitting it. It says very clearly, 'no', you are going in the direction /I/ choose at the pace /I/ decide without being violent or loosing self control.

The thing you did with single steps forwards sounds great :-)

Good luck!
 
A good old fashioned rope halter (available from farm suppliers) does the trick for about £3 and in fact I see Robinsons are now doing them. Couple that with what you are already doing and you will see a vast improvement I am sure. I would also remind your GF that you are dealing with upwards of half a ton of animal and you cannot afford to let the animal get away with bad manners. :)
 
Hi. Tickles - it definitely is not fear on his part! He is being a git. He did it so much with my last sharer she used to ring me in tears and I would have to race down to the yard. He is huge and there is no reason for him to be fearful of anything, he is spoilt rotten and shares his field with his best buddy who is still in the field when I bring him in!
Thanks everyone for your support I think I might try the halter headcollar, any links gratefully received. The knot in the leadrope is a good idea but I have Chronic RSI and possible early onset arthritis and have had many operations and currently wear splints so I would rather not rely on a knot making this painful condition even worse, oh and a broken finger to boot so I would rather prevent it instead of hanging on - the mud is so deep too that I could not keep upright at the moment if I did try haha :)
 
As everyone else has said you are of course right to discipline your boy.

One thing which stuck out from your post was where you said:

"We then walked slowly into the stable, me going backwards, one step, stop, praise, one step, stop, praise and ensured he waited for me to remove headcollar before letting him eat his tea."

Is his tea in his stable waiting for him? My friends cob when on full livery would have his tea in the stable waiting for him, he turned into a bolshy g i t when coming in from the field and my friend asked to have his tea not left in the stable instead that he be brought in and fed half an hour or so later. She felt he was rushing in for his tea as he had both hay in the field and hay in the stable.
 
sounds like you did the right thing, I would use a training halter/rope halter and lead him with a long line so that if he does go it give you time to take up a solid stance and stop him. Hold the rope around your hip so the strain goes through your centre of balance and not throgh your hands.
 
QR cos food is on the table... and i haven't got time to read everyone else's... so apologies if i'm saying what's already been said...

bring him in in a bridle, carry a whip, and assert yourself... as soon as you feel he's not listening/about to go, give the reins a good wiggle to remind him you're there... i'd avoid hitting his face though. don't want to make him headshy.. oh, and this is only if he's not fleeing with fear... i presume he's just being a monkey....
 
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